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Dear Neighbors,

As you have no doubt heard in the news, Governor Cuomo has announced new COVID-19 restrictions due to infection clusters across the state.

Effective this Friday (11/13), bars, restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, and any other State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment, will be required to close from 10pm to 5am daily. Restaurants will still be allowed to provide curbside, food-only pick-up or delivery after 10pm, but will not be permitted to serve alcohol to go. 

Also effective this Friday, indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people. The Governor's press release notes that this public health measure brings New York in line with neighboring states including Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

In related news, West End Avenue has been removed from the City's Open Streets program and will be open to traffic 24/7.
 
Helpful COVID-19 information sources include: 

Public School Updates
  • Public school families can track COVID cases in schools, and related school building closures and re-openings, on this DOE map. The data is updated daily at 6pm. As of this email, no schools in D6 have been closed, although individual classrooms at several locations have closed for a period of time.
  • Families are reminded that the deadline to change from fully remote to blended (remote + in-school) learning is this Sunday, November 15th. Complete your DOE Learning Preference form here. The DOE says this is the final opportunity to make the change for the 2020-21 school year.
  • The DOE will hold information sessions about blended learning tonight (11/12) and next Thursday (11/19) from 6:30 to 8pm. Families can register for either session and submit questions here. Anyone can watch the info sessions as they are livestreamed here. Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese and ASL interpretation will be provided.

City Council Hearing on DOE Childcare Initiative: November 18th
Together with Council Member Debi Rose, Chair of the Youth Services Committee, I will be co-chairing a hearing on the City's initiative to provide 100,000 childcare slots via the "Learning Lab" program. The slots are intended for families (irrespective of their ability to pay) with young children (3- and 4-year-olds), and school-age children (grades K through 8th) who are enrolled in blended learning.

Our hearing will take place next Wednesday (11/18) at 10am. Watch it live here. Click here for additional details
Food Assistance for Upper West Siders

A reminder that free "Grab & Go" meals are available for ALL New Yorkers at hundreds of schools throughout the city. Click here to learn more and see locations.
  • No registration, ID, or documentation required.
  • Any NYC student can pick up a meal at select public schools from Monday – Friday, 9am – 12pm. Click here for a school near you.
Upper West Siders can pick-up meals from the following locations Monday – Friday, 3 – 5pm:

High School for Environmental Studies  — 444 W. 56th Street
Site is partially accessible/Halal meals available

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts —100 Amsterdam Avenue
Site is partially accessible/Halal meals available

P.S. 9 Sarah Anderson — 100 W. 84th Street
Site is partially accessible/Halal meals available

P.S. 75 — 735 West End Ave
Site is partially accessible/Kosher meals available

P.S. 163 Alfred E. Smith — 163 W. 97th Street
Site is not accessible/Halal meals available

P.S. 165 Robert E. Simon  — 234 W. 109th Street
Site is not accessible/Halal meals available

Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts — 215 W. 114th Street
Site is fully accessible/Halal meals available
Ways You Can Help

Support WSCAH's Thanksgiving Turkey Challenge
Record numbers of New Yorkers continue to turn to WSCAH for support in putting food on their tables. This week alone, WSCAH will give out 900 turkeys to families at their 86th Street Market and Mobile Market sites.

WSCAH is asking neighbors to join them in providing Thanksgiving meals for families in need. Their 2020 Turkey Challenge goal is to provide 5,000 turkeys: a donation of $54 supports three families. Donate here!

MV4NY Thanksgiving Food Drive Ends Sunday!
The number of food insecure New Yorkers continues to increase due to the pandemic and ensuing economic crisis. Another way to help is by making a donation to Muslim Volunteers for New York's Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, which ends this Sunday (11/15). Donate and learn more here.



This year's drive will benefit the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), the New York Common Pantry, and City Meals on Wheels. Each of these organizations serves a unique need for NYC’s food insecure communities. Let's be there for our neighbors during this hard time. Thank you for your support!

Volunteers Needed
St. Michael's Community Food Outreach program has been serving Upper West Siders for three decades. They currently feed over 300 residents every week at their 225 W 99th Street location.

Volunteer opportunities are available on Fridays or Saturdays. Please contact John Avery at [email protected] to learn more. Crew sizes are limited due to the pandemic -- please do not come unless you have been notified in advance. Volunteers must bring a proper mask.
It's Time to Get Your Flu Shot!

Every year about 2,000 New Yorkers die as a result of seasonal influenza and flu-related pneumonia. As both the flu and the coronavirus will be in our community this fall and winter, getting your flu shot is more important than ever. 

My sincere thanks to the wonderful teams at Ryan Health and Project Find for sponsoring our free flu shot event outside the Hamilton Senior Center this Monday. We are hoping to sponsor another flu shot event with Ryan Health in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.



Everyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated. The flu vaccine is safe and quick -- it’s available now at low cost or for free at locations around the city. Click here to learn more, or text “FLU” to 877877.
Upcoming Webinars & Hearings
 
Rent Freeze Information Session this Friday
The NYC Dept of Finance and Tenants & Neighbors are co-sponsoring an information session about how to freeze your rent this Friday (11/13) at 3pm. Register here.

Upper West Siders may be eligible for a rent freeze if they meet the following criteria:
  • You live in a rent-stabilized, rent-controlled, or single-room occupancy (SRO) with a total combined income not exceeding $50,000 annually;
  • You are 62 or older, or you are disabled;
  • You pay more than one-third of your income in rent.
Learn about the Dept of Finance's rent freeze program here.

Conversation Series: Justice Talks
Legal services provider Her Justice has launched a new conversation series -- Justice Talks -- focused on the systemic issues that impact all of us, especially women living in poverty in New York City. Click here for viewing information.
  • Racial Bias in NY State Courts? A Conversation with former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson; Friday, November 13, at 9:30am.
  • From WFH to WTF?! A Conversation with Victims Rights' Attorney Carrie Goldberg on How the Pandemic has Increased Risks of Tech-Abuse; Thursday, November 19, at 1pm.
  • Financial Abuse: webinar led by Her Justice attorneys focusing on how financial abuse can appear in already abusive relationships, and strategies for financial safety planning both in and out of court. Released in October and can be viewed here.
Her Justice provides legal services which are essential for securing stability and safety for their clients, 75% of whom are survivors of intimate partner violence and 90% of whom are women of color. Through their policy work and unique pro bono model, Her Justice helps to break down systemic gender, racial and economic barriers within our civil justice system. 

Caring for Loved Ones with Cancer: Spanish Language Info Session
Please share information about this Memorial Sloan Kettering on-line event with persons who may need it -- a panel of experts will answer submitted questions.

"Sesiones informativas: Servicios de apoyo para pacientes de cáncer y sus seres queridos" (Support Services for Patients and Caregivers) will be offered on-line Wednesday, November 18th, at 4pm: Learn more and register here.

Post Election Hearing: December 9th
A reminder that the New York City Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC) will hold a post-election virtual hearing on December 9, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The VAAC is asking voters and poll workers to share their experiences with:
  • Voting in person during Early Voting and on Election Day;
  • Voting by mail and requesting absentee ballots; 
  • Recommendations to improve the voting experience in New York City.
All testimony will be shared with elected officials and the Board of Elections. While there is limited time to testify during the hearing, all New Yorkers may submit written testimony for the public record. Please RSVP here for the hearing.

(VAAC's nine members advise the NYC Campaign Finance Board and its nonpartisan voter engagement initiative, NYC Votes, on ways to improve elections in New York City.)

Important Deadlines, Updates & Resources


Deadline Extended: 2020 Federal Stimulus Payments
Non-tax filers have until November 21st to request their Federal Stimulus/Economic Impact payment. The IRS has extended the deadline.

This deadline is only for persons who did not file a 2019 federal tax return, and who have not registered or received their Federal Stimulus/Economic Impact payment. Click here to learn more and request your payment.

2021 Medicare Open Enrollment Deadline: December 7th
Medicare health and drug plans (and their cost) change every year. Make sure your coverage still fits your needs. Click here to learn about 2021 plan options, make a change to your current Medicare plan, or enroll in a new one. You can also call Medicare directly at (800) 633-4227.  

If you need further assistance, please call the Medicare Rights Center at 1-800-333-4114.
 
NY Public Library Enters "Phase 2" of Re-Opening
This Monday, the NY Public Library began Phase 2 of its re-opening:
  • Fifteen of NYPL's 50 open branches are adding new services: desktop computer usage and limited browsing. Learn more here and look up which branches have added services.
  • The remaining 35 branches will add new services in a staggered fashion over the next few months.
  • “Grab and Go” service will return to its original procedure at all 50 branches. Patrons will need to check out their books once they pick them up off the hold shelf (they will not automatically be checked out). See all 50 open branches here.
Also part of Phase 2, NYPL's research libraries are allowing researchers to request 1-on-1 appointments to consult collections in-person. Research library buildings remain closed to the general public. Learn more here.
  • Click here to ask a librarian to select up to 5 books for you, which you can then pick up at a participating branch (District 6 location is Riverside).
  • Click here for online resources and classes at the St. Agnes branch library.
Support the Plastic Bag Ban!
New Yorkers use 23 billion plastic bags a year. With your help, we can greatly reduce this major source of plastic pollution. The statewide plastic bag ban has been in effect since March 2020, but enforcement of the law only resumed on October 19th. Learn more about the ban here.

The law applies to:
  • grocery stores/supermarkets*
  • drug stores/pharmacies*
  • convenience stores
  • apparel stores
  • hardware stores
  • liquor stores
  • gift shops
  • thrift shops
  • farmers markets*
  • open-air flea markets
*The law does not apply to small plastic produce bags, bags provided by pharmacies to carry prescription drugs, and bags used for restaurant take-out orders. 

Stores that continue to use plastic bags can be fined. The NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation is accepting complaints by phone (518) 402-8706, or e-mail: [email protected].
 
Mental Health Support
As we all know, this is a profoundly stressful time. If your symptoms of stress become overwhelming, please reach out for support and help. One option is NYC Well, the City's confidential helpline for mental health and substance misuse services. Trained counselors can provide you with support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 200 languages. Click here; call: 1-888-NYC-Well (1-888-692-9355); or text: “Well” to 65173.

Mental Health First Aid (part of Thrive NYC) offers a free 60 minute virtual presentation, COVID-19 Community Conversations: Mental Health, Equity and Resilience, on potential mental health impacts, relevant coping skills and available resources. Learn more here.
Upcoming Events

Community Clean-Up: Broadway Malls
Join me at the malls this Saturday, November 14th, from 10am-12pm!



Riverside Park Leaf Lift Event
Join the Riverside Park Conservancy this Saturday, November 14, from 10am to 1pm, as they clear leaves from high traffic areas. The leaves will be composted and used as nourishing mulch throughout the park. Email [email protected] to sign up and for details.

Shred Event!
Council Speaker Corey Johnson's district office is offering a free paper shred event this Saturday, November 14, from 10am-2pm. Location: West 43rd Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues). 

Safely dispose of documents that may contain personal/sensitive information, and reduce your waste output! Up to three boxes per person accepted. 
We're Here to Help

My office assists people with housing issues, seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can. We also provide on-going advocacy with our public schools and other public services.

Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected]; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com. We update it on a regular basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis. 

Warmly,



P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here. Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
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